Social cost of renewables should be kept under check: Economic Survey II

Survey highlights the detrimental effect of rising renewables over coal-based capacity

Lauding the efforts of the government in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Change agreement, the Economic Survey 2017 emphasises the urgent need to shift focus towards sustainable energy access for the deprived. While the Survey supports the renewable energy growth in the country, it has warned against several perils of having too much renewable energy.

It says the social cost of renewable energy is thrice that of coal at Rs 11 per unit. This, it says, is imperative to be noted as India progresses aggressively in renewable energy capacity addition so as to not burden consumers.

“While investments